12/18/2023: Snack Attack!
PLUS: Boozy Bandit; Britney Means “No Disrespect”; and Harry’s Court Win
Today is Monday, December 18, 2023.
It is the 352nd day of the year.
13 days remain.
PROGRAMMING NOTES
TODAY IS LAUNCH DAY! We’re activating the Top Shelf program today and those who pledged will see charges between today and Wednesday. If you have any questions, reply to this email and we’ll get it sorted pronto.
There will be no regular morning email from Monday, December 25 through Tuesday, January 2. The regular morning newsletter will resume on Wednesday, January 3.
BUT WAIT: If you activate your Top Shelf subscription, you’ll get full access to the Year in Review series we’re sending over the Christmas week and a look ahead at 2024 on January 2.
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WHAT’S ON TAP
The University of Idaho community looks to move on and scientists brace for a wild year of solar activity. Details in HIT LIST.
Is TRAVIS KELCE going to pop the question? Head to SHOWBIZ for more.
MAYIM BIALIK is out as host of “Jeopardy!” and President JOE BIDEN chats with CONAN O’BRIEN. More in CASTING CALL.
YE debuts new footwear and fans are confused. Find out more in KARDASH.
PRINCE HARRY scores a court victory. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
The University of Idaho has begun preparations to demolish the site of last November’s grizzly murders of four students.
School officials ultimately decided that razing the house would be the best way for the campus community to move past the tragedy.
The lead suspect in the case, criminology student Bryan Kohberger, remains in jail while a trial start date remains pending. Kohberger’s defense team visited the murder site last week for one last chance to take photos. Prosecutors on the case say they’ll pursue the death penalty. [via KXLY, CBS News]
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The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration reports that the solar flare that reached earth last Thursday and caused widespread radio interference between pilots was one of the biggest ever measured.
If you thought 2024 was already gonna be bananas, buckle up: NOAA predicts the current solar cycle will cause more disruptive flares throughout the course of the year, peaking in October. [via The Verge]
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BOOZY BURGLAR: A Florida man was caught sneaking into an apartment on Thanksgiving morning to steal what appears to be ingredients for a screwdriver.
Surveillance footage shows the man exiting with a bottle of OJ and Svedka lemonade vodka.
In total the theft is around $35, but Polk County officers would still like a word with the guy. [via NY Post]
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Looking to trim up in the new year? Maybe try cauliflower ice cream.
The first-of-its-kind offering blends cauliflower plants that were rejected for sale because of their cosmetic appearance with coconut oil and pea protein for its base. The three flavors include Strawberry Swirl, Chocolate Swirl, and Mint Choc Bikkie.
For now, it’s only available in New Zealand. [via Vegconomist]
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A study out of Ohio State University suggests the average American consumes an additional meal’s worth of calories every day just by snacking.
A typical diet includes between 400 and 500 calories of junk food, often with no nutritional value, that usually exceeds the calories in a typical breakfast.
GO FIGURE: People already diagnosed with diabetes tend to have healthier snacking habits than those without the disease. [via OSU]
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POLL RESULTS: On Friday we asked what you would be willing to camp out for overnight. Every single respondent said “Nothing!”
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DEATHS
AC/DC’s original drummer COLIN BURGESS has died.
He passed away Friday, according to a post on the band’s Facebook page. No further details were shared.
Burgess was 77.
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Actor JACK AXELROD has died.
He passed away on November 28 of natural causes, according to a recent release from his rep.
Axelrod is best known for playing mob boss Victor Jerome on “General Hospital.”
He was 93.
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RELATIONSHIPS
DEMI LOVATO is engaged to songwriter JORDAN LUTES after a little more than a year of dating.
He’s 32 and she’s 31.
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SICK BAY
NBA all-star KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR fell and broke a hip while attending a concert on Friday night.
A rep for the 76-year-old said he underwent surgery on Saturday.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. The Shift: $1 million (stayed at 10)
9. Poor Things: $1.2 million (up from 17)
8. Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce: $2 million (down from 5)
7. Napoleon: $2.2 million (stayed at 7)
6. Wish: $3.2 million (stayed at 6)
5. Trolls Band Together: $4 million (down from 4)
4. Godzilla Minus One: $4.8 million (down from 3)
3. The Boy and the Heron: $5.1 million (down from 1)
2. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes: $5.8 million (stayed at 2)
1. Wonka: $39 million (new)
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW increased 56 points (0.15%) to close at 37,305 on Friday. The S&P was flat to close at 4,719 and the NASDAQ increased 52 points (0.35%) to close at 14,813.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $72 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $77.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.06 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN dipped over the weekend, trading around $41,600 Sunday evening.
🛩 There were more than 4,135 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 115 such cancellations.
💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $41 million jackpot or a $20.4 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $543 million jackpot or a $272.2 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
Newly released autopsy results show that MATTHEW PERRY had enough ketamine in his system that he could have been incapacitated or unconscious in his hot tub, causing him to drown.
According to the Medical Examiner’s report, Perry had over 3,500 ng/ml of ketamine in his system, which is equivalent to the amount of anesthesia some patients get before surgery.
Perry was reportedly prescribed ketamine for depression and anxiety, though his last dose was given a week and a half before his death. With effects lasting around six hours, he clearly took some more before getting into the hot tub.
As previously reported, Perry was found dead at his home in October. [via TMZ]
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Rumor is…TRAVIS KELCE has asked TAYLOR SWIFT’s dad, Scott Swift, for permission to marry her.
An insider told Page Six that “Scott has been asked for his blessing and has wholeheartedly given it, and Travis has been talking to friends about a ring.” [via Page Six]
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Fans think BRITNEY SPEARS took a swipe at her ex, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, in a since-deleted Instagram video.
“I never mentioned how I beat him in basketball 🏀 and he would cry … no disrespect 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️!!!”
While she didn’t name him specifically it is well-documented that the two would often enjoy a game of basketball.
Also, some of her followers pointed out that the phrase “no disrespect” was possibly in reference to JT’s performance in Las Vegas last week, where he said those same words before performing “Cry Me a River,” which he wrote after ending their three-year relationship. [via US Weekly]
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TOMMY LEE has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the cockpit of a helicopter in 2003.
According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the woman claims the MOTLEY CRUE drummer forced himself on her after she was lured onto a flight by Lee’s pilot, whom she was familiar with.
She also stated that she delayed reporting the incident because she felt no one would believe her.
WORTH NOTING: The pilot passed away in 2015, so he is not part of the lawsuit. [via TMZ]
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After making an impressive comeback win in Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, Bengals backup QB JAKE BROWNING received a text from the league stating he is due for a steroid test.
While chances are Browning was just one of the 10 players randomly selected to be tested each week, fans felt that the timing is a bit odd.
For those who missed the game, the Bengals were down 17-3 going into the fourth quarter. Browning quickly turned things around with three fourth-quarter touchdown drives to tie the game 24-24.
Kicker Evan McPherson won the game in overtime with a field goal, leaving the final score 27-24, and keeping the Bengals’ playoff hopes alive. [via NY Post]
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JASON MOMOA’s breakfast of choice is “weird.”
“I always have rice with avocado, sunny-side-up eggs and sardines,” he told People Magazine in a recent interview.
However, if he finds himself in his native Hawaii, the 44-year-old said he prefers “Portuguese sausage, eggs, rice, [macaroni] salad, kalua pig, lau lau and a big bowl of [effing] poi.” [via People]
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CASTING CALL
TAYLOR SWIFT can now (maybe) add the all-time record for the most illegally downloaded movie in its first 24 hours with her “Eras Tour” movie, according to X user @chartstswift.
The film officially dropped on Amazon Prime Video on Swift’s birthday last Wednesday for a rental price of $19.89. Fans not wanting to pay that, reportedly opted for the illegal downloading route to enjoy the three hours of concert footage. [via X]
WORTH NOTING: This has not yet been confirmed by a reliable source.
ALSO: @chartstswift did not share how many illegal downloads allegedly took place.
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Actress MAYIM BIALIK is out as host of “Jeopardy!”
She announced her exit on Instagram Friday, telling followers that Sony told her she “will no longer be hosting the syndicated version” of the game show.
Bialik had been splitting hosting duties with former “Jeopardy!” champion KEN JENNINGS, who will now go solo. [via Instagram]
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President JOE BIDEN sat down for an interview with CONAN O’BRIEN’s “Needs a Friend” podcast.
For the interview, the former late night host visited the White House, where he joked with reporters in the briefing room about not being able to take questions but having “the answers to everything.”
No word on when the episode will air. [via Deadline]
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A new Netflix documentary aims to break down what happened behind-the-scenes of NICOLA PELTZ’s 2022 wedding to BROOKLYN BECKHAM.
In the show, “Peltz Beckhams Vs The Planners,” viewers will get a glimpse at the lawsuit filed by Peltz’s dad, Nelson, against wedding planners from Plan Design Events, as well as their countersuit.
While both parties settled in September, the drama is still being discussed. [via NY Post]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE released his latest YEEZY shoe and fans are confused.
The YZY POD, described as “foldable footwear,” retails for $200, which is on par with what Yeezys typically cost, but the issue with the latest release is that it appears to be nothing more than a sock.
“Is it $200 per sock, or do you get a pair?” one user asked, while another noted that fans love Ye for his music “not his socks.”
Another issue with the footwear is that it only comes in sizes 1, 2, or 3, which has fans confused on how those relate to typical shoe sizes.
WORTH NOTING: It is the first Yeezy release since Ye was dropped by Adidas in October 2022 over his antisemitic rants. [via Page Six]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
An English court ruled on Friday in favor of PRINCE HARRY in his suit alleging widespread phone hacking practices orchestrated by publishing company The Mirror Group.
The judge ruled that both journalists and investigators hired by the Daily Mirror tabloid illegally gained access to data on his devices and used the information in its reporting on him and the Royal Family. The Mirror Group will pay 140,000 British Pounds in damages, or about $180,000. That’s about one-third of the damages he sought in the filing.
“I’ve been told that slaying dragons will get you burned. But in light of today’s victory and the importance of doing what is needed for a free and honest press, it is a worthwhile price to pay,” Harry said in a statement delivered by his legal team after the ruling.
UP NEXT: Harry remains tied up in legal proceedings as he seeks extended police protection when he visits England.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Roast Suckling Pig Day
World Arabic Language Day
Bake Cookies Day
International Migrants Day
Festival of Winter Walks
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ON THIS DATE
1620 - The Mayflower docks for the first time in Plymouth Harbor, in present day Massachusetts. The new settlement would become the Plymouth Colony.
The ship had been in harbor since November 11, while the men on board hammered out the details on how they would govern themselves in the New World.
Before letting everyone onto land, several scouting crews headed out to begin their settlement, collecting firewood and gathering supplies.
50 of the 102 settlers died during the first winter. Their treaty and alliance with Indian Chief Massasoit that Spring would help them not just survive, but thrive in the future.
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1865 - The House of Representatives passes the 13th Amendment, thus abolishing slavery in America.
It came three years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
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1912 - One of the oldest remains of human-form bones are found in Sussex, England.
Charles Dawson found two skulls, a canine tooth, and a primitive tool, as well as the fossil teeth of prehistoric animals. Some archeologists have called the discovery the "missing link" between ape and man, dating the remains to one million years ago.
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1917 - Germany warns that it will continue submarine warfare in the Atlantic Ocean.
It would attack all ships, civilian or otherwise. Three days later, the US formally broke off relations with Germany after the sinking of the American liner Housatonic.
Germany had agreed earlier in fighting to see to the safe removal of all civilians from cargo and passenger ships before torpedoing them. But as victory for the Germans grew farther off, they resumed the despicable policy.
Though no Americans were killed, having been picked up by a British steamer, the attack sharpened resolve to win the first World War.
The war would end in November the following year.
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1941 - World War II spreads into Hong Kong, when the Japanese invade the island. Just off the coast of China, the island was property of the British Empire.
Thousands were slaughtered. Japanese troops were ordered to take no prisoners. Even soldiers who surrendered peacefully were stabbed to death by bayonets.
The water supply was controlled and the people were threatened of dying by thirst.
On Christmas Day, the British would formally surrender the island.
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1966 - Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” airs for the 1st time on CBS.
CBS aired the show annually during the Christmas season until 1987 when it was acquired by TBS, which now shows it several times between November and January.
During its original release, the cartoon received mixed reviews, but has since been recognized as a classic.
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2009 - James Cameron’s “Avatar” becomes the highest-grossing film of all time.
It surpassed Cameron’s “Titanic” which held the title for 12 years and would remain at the top until being overtaken by “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019.
The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and won three for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects.
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2020 - Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is granted emergency authorization by the FDA.
The vaccine is the second approved for use in the US behind Pfizer’s shot.
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BIRTHDAYS
Billie Eilish - pop singer - 22
Ronald Acuna Jr. - baseball player - 26
Bridgit Mendler - actress, “Good Luck Charlie” - 31
Emily Atack - actress, “The Inbetweeners” & “Almost Never” - 34
Ashley Benson - actress, “Pretty Little Liars” - 34
Lyrica Anderson - R&B singer - 35
Christina Aguilera - pop singer 43
Kaite Holmes - actress, “Dawson’s Creek” - 45
Josh Dallas - actor, “Once Upon a Time” & “Manifest” - 45
Trish Stratus - wrestler - 48
Sia - pop singer - 48
Stone Cold Steve Austin - wrestler - 59
Brad Pitt - actor, “Fight Club” & “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” - 60
Steven Spielberg - director - 77
Keith Richards - guitarist, Rolling Stones - 80
Born On This Date
DMX - rapper - 1970 (d. 2021)
Ray Liotta - actor, “Goodfellas” 1954 (d. 2022)
Cicely Tyson - actress, “The Help” - 1924 (d. 2021)
Joseph Stalin - soviet dictator - 1878 (d. 1953)
Franz Ferdinand - Archduke of Austria - 1863 (d. 1914)
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